Latest Massachusetts Sports Gambling Proposal Features Significant Tax Hike and Prohibition on In-Play Betting

Massachusetts sports betting could look entirely various if a new costs proposed in the Senate achieves success. And if history is any sign, regulated sports betting in other states might likewise alter drastically.

SD 1657 was presented by Sen. John Keenan. “An Act Addressing Economic, Health, and Social Harms Caused by Sports Betting” aims to increase the existing sports betting tax rate from 20% to 51%. In Addition, Sen. Keenan requires a complete ban on live betting (in-game wagering) and prop bets.

The main thing to bear in mind is that Massachusetts has been at the forefront of more stringent sports betting regulations. The 2nd thing to know is that the language of this bill is similar to the SAFE Bet Act, a federal piece of legislation introduced in 2024.

This costs was introduced not long after previous Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA president Charlie Baker testified in front of the Senate in a meeting on sports betting regulation.

So, while this is presently a Massachusetts costs, it’s likely to impact other states that use regulated sports betting.

A closer look at SD 1657

Taxation

Beginning with the tax rate increase, bringing sports betting to 51% has actually been a target for Sen. Keenan before. Keenan proposed a tax boost at the last legislative session, but it was declined. This increase would have been available in the state’s budget bill.

Only three markets have tax rates of 51%, the greatest in the nation: New York, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. At 20%, Massachusetts currently ranks 6th highest.

Banning live betting and prop betting

The step forbids in-play (live betting) or prop betting. Just straight wagers would be enabled, restricting sportsbooks to providing just moneyline, spread, and totals.

While Massachusetts and other markets have constraints on collegiate betting, this would affect even professional sporting events.

The expense also seeks to include rewards and same-game parlays to the classification of “unjust and deceptive practices.” Sportsbooks favour same-game parlays due to their high “hold” percentage, the quantity of money they deflect each $1 wagered.

Gamer Limits

SD 1657 likewise intends to create obligatory everyday and monthly limitations for bettors. Bettors might not wager more than $1,000 a day and $10,000 a month without an ‘cost evaluation’ which involves examining . A gamer can not wager more than 15% of the quantity in their account.

Massachusetts would become the very first market to need an affordability assessment on bettors.

Marketing restrictions

Keenan likewise wishes to remove marketing during telecasted sporting occasions. The measure would restrict sportsbooks from running advertisements during video games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has actually checked out creating a restriction on in-game ads before. However, this did not go through as nationwide television offers make this tough to implement.

Will the measure pass?

The step is extreme in its modifications to the sports betting industry in Massachusetts. Banning prop betting and increasing the sports betting tax rate will likely result in pushback from local sportsbooks and market fans.

Because of this, the measure will likely be fought in the Senate and your house of Representatives. In the previous session, Keenan stopped working to raise the tax rate.

He would need to convince the other senators who did not support his effort before to alter their minds. If and when the Senate discusses this procedure, it is impossible to tell how it will be received.